Anti-Aging Tips: Six Activities That Help You Age Gracefully

Have you ever been surprised to hear someone’s real age? You might assume someone to be younger and get amazed to know that he or she is a decade older than what you guessed. And, by the same token you may discover that someone is much younger but appear older than you thought. This happens as some people show a vast difference between their chronological and biological age. Chronological age refers to date of birth, while biological indicates how well the body functions. Scientists believe involvement of chromosomes and functioning of body that may show such difference in your actual age and your appearance. But, is there anything people who age gracefully do differently by themselves than others? Here are seven simple things that could make a difference.

1. Engaging in Brain Stimulating Activities

People who tend to show poor memory or concentration are thought to be ageing because increasing age is often associated with memory problems. Scientists suggest that people who involve themselves in brain stimulating activities such as reading, writing, solving puzzles or other hobbies tend to show a low risk of developing memory problems. The brain keeps itself processing and alert when we get involved in brain stimulating activities. This is the reason some people tend to remember events even when they are 90, while some young people have memory problems.

2. Stress Management

Did you know that stress can speed up the process of ageing and show some distinct signs of skin ageing including wrinkles? People who are always under too much stress suffer from effects of Stress such as greying of hair, chipping of nails and dry skin. Overall, it makes you look much older than your actual age. Stress cannot be avoided, but it can be managed.

3. Being Physically Active

Regular physical activity influences our body shape, fitness, metabolism, bone strength and mental health. People who start exercising early in life tends to continue it till they age and this benefits them to maintain their physical and mental health. Ageing people who are physically active are also capable of being independent. There is strong evidence that people who are physically active show a reduced risk of developing illnesses that are associated with increased age.

4. Eating and Drinking Right

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You are what you eat! And it is true especially when you start ageing. Physical activity, healthy eating and stress management are considered as a tripod that supports a healthy lifestyle. Experts have found evidences that people who eat a balanced diet that provide all the necessary nutrients for better physiological function tend to age more gracefully. Have you heard the term Mediterranean diet? It is the meal plan all the experts are talking about to reduce the risk of chronic lifestyle disorders and have a longer life. It stresses on high consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes and cereals, a high intake of olive oil as the main source of fat and a moderate intake of fish. It also suggests low to moderate intake of dairy products and low consumption of meat and poultry.

5. Being Up-To-Date With Health Check-Ups

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Ageing is a natural process. Everyone single living species reaches the termination phase in life. But, how do you age mostly depends on the kind of lifestyle you follow. As you age most of the physiological functions tend to slow down, and this increases risk of being vulnerable to diseases. However, you can be up-to date with your health check- ups as early detection can prevent and even treat many lifestyle illnesses.

6. Taking Therapies like Ayurvedic Massage

A soft, glowing skin is a symbol of good systemic health. Skin is the largest organ in the body that plays a vital role of protecting the internal organs from external environment. People who have a shiny, healthy and glowing skin tend to have a good impression on others. Conversely, people who have dull or darker looking skin have low self-esteem and constantly have to struggle to find some new tips for glowing skin.

Massage therapy is one of the proven ways to manage stress and rejuvenate your body. Ayurveda is the oldest surviving medicinal system that originated in India nearly 5000 years ago. Ayurvedic Massage known as the Abhyangam has been considered as one of the important daily regimens (Din charyas) by the classics that lead to healthier life and also increase human life span. It can effectively improve physical appearance of the body and make it appear more youthful. It can also prevent early ageing by reducing the amount of free radicals in the body.

Sunil Rao is a fitness enthusiast, dabbles in meditation and is a speaker at various entrepreneurship events and forums. Prior to venturing out, Sunil worked with Unilever in India. He holds a post graduate diploma in business management from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research.